Dangerous Jeeps and Vulnerable Fuel Tanks

Dangerous Jeeps and Vulnerable Fuel Tanks

When manufacturers sell automobiles to American consumers, they have a duty to make those vehicles reasonably safe. Most manufacturers do that. But if manufacturers violate that duty, the consequences can be awful. Tragically, Chrysler violated that duty with certain Jeep-branded vehicles that it sold in the 1990s and 2000s. The design flaw is basic, and the consequences dishearteningly predictable. Chrysler mounted the fuel tanks on several of its Jeeps—including the 2002-2007 Liberties, 1993-2004 Grand Cherokees, and 1993-2001 Cherokees, among others—right behind the rear axle and next to the rear bumper area. So what happens when the Jeep is hit from the rear? You probably guessed it—the gas tank can rupture and the Jeep can catch fire. The danger to Chrysler’s customers—and even other drivers who happen to be nearby—is obvious.

This is the kind of automotive defect that Butler Tobin LLC has been honored to fight against. Jeb Butler recently wrote an article in Verdict magazine about the problem, and what we do to hold Chrysler accountable. Read the whole article here.